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S <br /> IFFMIRM <br /> Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> Objection: Loss of habitat poses the greatest threat to any species, and the application ignores the loss <br /> of habitat and its consequences. <br /> Response: There is a temporary loss of habitat as each section of the quarry is developed, mined,and <br /> then reclaimed; however,the quarry will be developed incrementally over 40 years and was designed to <br /> limit disturbances to only areas associated with each phase and to contemporaneously reclaim areas as <br /> mining is completed in each section of the quarry. This greatly minimizes the temporary loss of habitat <br /> and minimizes impacts to wildlife. The reclamation plan was specifically designed to promote wildlife <br /> habitat, and the reclaimed conditions are expected to exceed those currently in the quarry area. <br /> Objection: There is the potential for irreparable damage to Little Turkey Creek riparian areas. <br /> Response: Several objectors claim there is a potential for irreparable damage to riparian areas along <br /> Little Turkey Creek, but these comments lack supporting evidence and ignore the quarry design. The <br /> quarry was designed specifically to avoid riparian areas along Little Turkey Creek so that these areas are <br /> preserved. The only disturbances to these riparian areas include installing a pipe to discharge waters <br /> from the Plant sediment basin and the access road crossing of Little Turkey Creek on the east side of the <br /> project area. Both areas will be reclaimed with native riparian vegetation to minimize impacts. <br /> Objection: The areas is mapped Critical Habitat for Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO),a threatened species. <br /> Response: The quarry area is not included as Critical Habitat for Mexican Spotted Owl, as the Federal <br /> Register specifically excludes private and state lands from the critical habitat designation due to the <br /> large amount of federal land that was included by the designation as critical habitat. The permit <br /> application includes the results (negative) of three years of MSO surveys and an evaluation of MSO <br /> habitat. These documents definitively conclude that MSO and MSO brooding/breeding habitat will not <br /> be affected by the quarry development and that foraging habitat will only be minimally affected. <br /> Objection: CPW identifies the area as a major wildlife migration corridor. <br /> Response: The statement is incorrect: This area is not a major wildlife migration corridor. CPW has <br /> reviewed and commented on the permit, and their comments from CPW have not included any <br /> concerns regarding wildlife migration. <br /> CPW does not have any maps showing this area as a major wildlife migration corridor. CPW elk habitat <br /> and migration maps for the DAU E-23, Elevenmile Herd only show a line in the vicinity of the Quarry <br /> area. This line is "A subjective indication of the general direction of the movements of migratory <br /> ungulate herds" (Grigg, 2012). It is not a "major wildlife migration corridor"; CPW has a separate <br /> data layer for mapped migration corridors and there are none in the Quarry area. This area is not <br /> mapped as a migration corridor or a migration pattern for any other species. The species habitat <br /> and migration maps are included as Figure 3. <br /> Objection: Claims that the area is unique with significant wildlife habitat and a natural forest. <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Response to Comments <br /> March 9,2018 11 <br />